Less than six hours after celebrating their 77-76 win over Pinar Karisyaka in a memorable EuroChallenge final, Krasnye Krylia were on a bus to Izmir airport to catch an early morning flight back to Russia.

The EuroChallenge champions could not afford the luxury of returning home for some well-deserved rest, but had instead to travel to Moscow Region and take on fellow Russian side Triumph Lyubertsy on Wednesday morning, in Game 1 of their VTB United league play-off series.

The Samara side overcame fatigue to prevail 76-69 and make a huge first step towards clinching the series and advancing to the quarter-finals, since they will now play Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 3 at home.

After a close first quarter whose end saw the guests lead by just one point, Krasnye Krylia stepped up their efforts on the defensive end in the second frame to give up only 15 points to their hosts and take a 43-36 lead at the half-time interval.

They continued to pull away in the third, increasing the gap to 12 points but tiredness combined with a sustained attempt at a comeback by Triumph kept spectators at the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

Sergey Bazarevich's team none the less managed to hold on to their advantage and kept their cool from the charity line in the decisive final minute of the encounter, with Aaron Miles hitting all four of his free throws attempts and Omar Thomas making another two, to seal the victory.

Krasnye Krylia's ability to share the load on offence proved instrumental as no less than nine players scored five points or more for the EuroChallenge champions.

Forward/center Nikita Balashov paved the way with a double-double of 14 points (on 5-for-5 shooting from the floor) and 10 rebounds while Miles finished with 12 points and five assists.

Game 2 of the best-of-three series is on Friday in Samara with the third game on Saturday, should Krasnye Krylia fail to win the series in two games.

Strasbourg took second spot while Lyon-Villeurbanne edged out Elan Chalon/Saone 78-75 to clinch third place and relegate the 2012 EuroChallenge finalists to fourth, right at the photo finish of the Regular Season.